Actor Shia LaBeouf poses for photographers on the red carpet for the film "Nymphomaniac" at the International Film Festival Berlinale, in Berlin. / Axel Schmidt AP

by Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

by Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

This is the question which fellow actor James Franco explores in an "empathetic" essay in theThe New York Times on LeBeouf's "recent antics."

Franco wrote the essay, which went online Wednesday night, titled "Why Actors Act Out. Franco noted that LaBeouf's recent behavior "has sent the press into a feeding frenzy."

Earlier in the month, the 27-year-old Transformers star wore a paper bag over his head that read "I am not famous anymore" at the red carpet premiere of his new movie Nymphomaniac. This was followed by LaBeouf staging an #IAmSorry art show where he wore a similar bag over his head and stared at visitors through cutout holes.

"This behavior could be a sign of many things, from a nervous breakdown to mere youthful recklessness," wrote Franco. "For Mr. LaBeouf's sake I hope it is nothing serious."

Franco said he hoped LaBeouf was taking part in extended performance art "in which a young man in a very public profession tries to reclaim his public persona."

While many other actors, including Franco, have taken their own efforts to reclaim their persona, it has its perils.

"Our rebellion against the hand that feeds us can instigate a frenzy of commentary that sets in motion a feedback loop: acting out, followed by negative publicity, followed by acting out in response to that publicity, followed by more publicity, and so on."

Franco closed stating that if it was a "worthy project" he hoped that LaBeouf would not go too far.

"I just hope that he is careful not to use up all the good will he has gained as an actor in order to show us that he is an artist," wrote Franco.